Just wanted to add a quick note about something that caught me off guard when I filed my late returns - make sure you're using the correct standard deduction amounts for each tax year! The standard deduction changes annually, so don't accidentally use the 2023 amounts on your 2021 or 2022 forms. For 2021: Single filers had a $12,550 standard deduction, married filing jointly was $25,100 For 2022: Single was $12,950, married filing jointly was $25,900 I almost made this mistake and would have either overpaid or underpaid my taxes. The IRS forms for each year should have the correct amounts printed on them, but it's worth double-checking since you're working with multiple years of forms at once. Also, if you moved between states during any of those years, make sure you're filing part-year resident returns for the correct states. I had to file returns in both Maryland and Virginia for 2022 since I moved mid-year, and figuring out the income allocation was trickier than I expected.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar boat with unfiled returns for 2021 and 2022. One thing I want to add that might help others - if you're missing any of your tax documents (like W-2s or 1099s from previous years), you can request transcripts from the IRS that show what income was reported to them. You can get these transcripts online through the IRS website if you can verify your identity, or you can mail Form 4506-T to request them. This saved me when I realized I was missing a 1099-INT from a bank account I'd forgotten about for 2021. The transcript showed exactly what income the IRS had on file for me, so I could make sure my return matched their records. Also, don't panic if you owe money on those back returns - the IRS has payment plan options even for prior year taxes. You can set up an installment agreement online if you owe less than $50,000. The key is just getting those returns filed ASAP, especially for 2021 with that April 2025 deadline approaching fast!

For your first year with Uber income, make sure you're keeping all your receipts and tracking expenses properly going forward. I started driving last year and wish someone had told me this sooner. The Uber tax summary doesn't include a lot of deductions you're entitled to. Track EVERYTHING - car washes, portion of phone bill, mileage between passengers (not just with passengers), snacks/water for riders, car repairs, etc. I use a separate credit card just for Uber-related expenses to make it easier to track.

Don't forget about quarterly estimated taxes! This was my big mistake my first year as an Uber driver. Since there's no withholding on your Uber income like there is with your W-2 job, you might need to make quarterly payments to avoid penalties.

At your income level, you should really look into establishing a Defined Benefit Plan (cash balance pension) in addition to a Solo 401k. For someone earning over $600k, this combination can allow you to defer $200k+ in taxes annually in some cases. With a cash balance plan, contribution limits are based on age and income, with older individuals able to contribute more. It's more complex than a standard 401k but the tax savings can be enormous at your income level. The administrative costs are higher (expect $2-3k annually), but the tax savings typically dwarf these expenses. It's surprising how many high-income freelancers aren't aware of this option!

Your situation is unfortunately very normal for high-income freelancers in NYC. That 37% you're seeing isn't just federal income tax - it's the combination of federal income tax PLUS self-employment tax that's hitting you so hard. Here's the breakdown of what you're likely paying: - Federal income tax: Your marginal rate is 37% on income over $609,350 (2025 rates) - Self-employment tax: 15.3% on the first $168,600, then 2.9% Medicare tax continues on all income above that, PLUS an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on income over $200,000 - NY State tax: Up to 10.9% - NYC local tax: Up to 3.876% When you add it all up, a total effective rate of 45-50% isn't uncommon at your income level. The good news is there are strategies to reduce this burden. Priority #1 should be discussing S-Corp election with your accountant - at your income level, this could save you $15-25k annually in self-employment taxes. You'd pay yourself a reasonable salary (subject to employment taxes) and take the rest as distributions. Also maximize retirement contributions through a Solo 401k ($70k limit for 2025) and consider a SEP-IRA if you haven't already. At your income level, you might even qualify for a defined benefit plan which could allow much higher tax-deferred contributions. The pain is real, but there are legitimate ways to reduce it significantly!

Its wild how everyone in the same batch gets different timeline. feels like playing the lottery at this point smh

Same boat here - batch 05 with codes showing for almost 3 weeks now. The inconsistency is frustrating but at least we're not alone in this. Hoping tomorrow brings some good news for all of us! 🤞

Not sure if this will help you, but make sure your suitability check is complete. I had a delay with my EFIN because my fingerprint cards weren't properly processed. If you submitted fingerprints, call and specifically ask if they were received and processed correctly. This is often a bottleneck. Also, have you considered using ProSeries or another tax software that might allow you to use their EFIN temporarily while yours is being processed? Some have programs for new preparers that might help you get through this tax season without losing clients.

I feel your pain - EFIN delays are incredibly frustrating when you're trying to build a business! In addition to the great suggestions already mentioned, here are a few more things that helped me when I was stuck in EFIN limbo: 1. Document EVERYTHING - Keep a detailed log of every phone call (date, time, representative name if they give it, what they told you). This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you escalate. 2. Ask specifically about your "suitability determination" status. This is often where applications get stuck, and many phone reps don't volunteer this information unless you ask directly. 3. If you haven't already, make sure you have your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) active and up to date. EFIN processing sometimes gets delayed if there are issues with your PTIN. 4. Consider reaching out to your local VITA/TCE coordinator if you've done volunteer work with them before. They sometimes have direct contacts within the IRS e-file department. The combination of TAS (as Ava mentioned) and having detailed documentation of your hardship should definitely help move things along. Don't give up - once it's resolved, you'll have your EFIN for future seasons too!